Haris elicits opinions to improve BDA functioning

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Chairman NA Haris said that he would tweak the way the body would be run under him so as to enable smoother functioning. He made the comments during an interaction with mediapersons at Bowring Institute in Bengaluru on Friday.

Moreover, he had invited mediapersons who cover the civic bodies' beat to make recommendations to the way BDA functions. Haris was accompanied by BDA Commissioner N Jayaram.

BDA, the planning authority of the city, has to issue permission before development work can go ahead. Currently, BDA is overseeing a number of ongoing projects, including Arkavathy Layout, Kempegowda Layout etc.

Haris, also the Congress MLA from Shanti Nagar, said that he wanted to work on the BDA sooner but his hands were tied due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) imposed due to the Lok Sabha elections until June 6. The suggestions made by reporters covering the civic body beat included making BDA friendlier to people and media.

Reporters argued that the BDA hadn’t informed them of the works being undertaken by them. The Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at KR Puram was cited as an example. Haris and Jayaram said that making appointments online would help in this regard.

They added that more frequent “Janaspandana” or “government at your doorstep” programmes by the BDA for the benefit of land and flat buyers would help in this regard. More frequent press conferences were also floated as a solution to stay in touch with beat reporters.

Corruption, slow pace among bugbears

Endemic corruption in the BDA, slow pace of the work in layouts, making townships more “walkable” and streamlining of the online appointments was also suggested. One mediaperson pointed out that despite there being interest by potential consumers in the backdrop of the “mela” conducted by them, there was no hands-on instruction by BDA officials to buyers.

“We are trying to create an atmosphere of change in the BDA. In this regard, we had a positive discussion with journalists today. You have all given us good suggestions on the topic. I appreciate that,'' Haris said.